Vanuatu Government orders evacuation of entire 11,100 population of Ambae

The Vanuatu Government’s Council of Ministers – COM has ordered the mass evacuation of the entire population of Ambae.

Approximately 11,100 people, according to the 2016 mini-census are expected to leave on the advice of the Vanuatu Meteorological and Geo-hazards Dept, who are reporting increasing activity of the Manaro Voui volcano including flying lava, poisonous volcanic gas, acid rain and ash falls.

Evacuation Centers have been briefed and and residents of Ambae are preparing to evacuate Ambae.

They will be evacuated to Santo, Malekula, Maewo, and Pentecost.

Vanuatu’s Prime Minister Charlot Salwai announced the compulsory evacuation of the entire island, with the aim to have it completed by Friday next week.

The alert level for the Ambae Monaro volcano was raised to four last Saturday, the second highest level in Vanuatu’s alert system, indicating a “moderate” eruption.

Mr Salwai said travel restrictions would be imposed but for now Air Vanuatu said flights to the island were continuing.